Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
510–25K
4925–50K
3750–75K
2875–100K
36100–150K
19150K+
220 reports with mileage · 126 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Power Train. Review the 61 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 51 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Structure. Review the 49 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
43 crash reports12 fire reports25 injury reports
What owners actually said
346 reports
9,000 miles · Dec 19, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
2002 RANGERS ARE APPARENTLY EQUIPPED WITH A SPEED CONTROL CHIP THAT LIMITS TOP END SPEED AND RPM'S. I WAS NOT INFORMED THAT MY VEHICLE WAS GOING TO BE CRIPPLED BY THIS DEVICE OR I WOULD NOT HAVE PURCHASED IT. WHEN DRIVING IN THE WESTERN US, THIS LIMITER HAS ALMOST CAUSED ME TO BE IN AN ACCIDENT 4 TIMES. FORD SHOULD BE COMPELLED …
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2002 RANGERS ARE APPARENTLY EQUIPPED WITH A SPEED CONTROL CHIP THAT LIMITS TOP END SPEED AND RPM'S. I WAS NOT INFORMED THAT MY VEHICLE WAS GOING TO BE CRIPPLED BY THIS DEVICE OR I WOULD NOT HAVE PURCHASED IT. WHEN DRIVING IN THE WESTERN US, THIS LIMITER HAS ALMOST CAUSED ME TO BE IN AN ACCIDENT 4 TIMES. FORD SHOULD BE COMPELLED TO TELL BUYERS THAT THIS VEHICLE HAS A SPEED LIMITER BEFORE THE SALE IS CLOSED.
NHTSA ODI #10000242
Mileage unknown · Nov 19, 2002
Electrical System
CONSUMER NOTICE WHILE TRAVELING ELECTRICAL WAVES BURNING CONSUMER ON THE LEGS. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS
NHTSA ODI #8022967
600 miles · Nov 15, 2002
Suspension
VEHICLE HAS A SLIGHT VIBRATION AT 65 MPH THAT INCREASES IN SEVERITY AS SPEED INCREASES. AT 85 MPH IT HAS A VERY PRONOUNCED VIBRATION THAT MUST BE CONSIDERED DANGEROUS. VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO DEALER FOUR TIMES. THE DEALER ESSENTIALLY TOLD CUSTOMER THAT FORD WOULD NOT WARRANTY A VEHICLE OVER THE LEGAL SPEED LIMIT. THIS WAS THE FI…
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VEHICLE HAS A SLIGHT VIBRATION AT 65 MPH THAT INCREASES IN SEVERITY AS SPEED INCREASES. AT 85 MPH IT HAS A VERY PRONOUNCED VIBRATION THAT MUST BE CONSIDERED DANGEROUS. VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO DEALER FOUR TIMES. THE DEALER ESSENTIALLY TOLD CUSTOMER THAT FORD WOULD NOT WARRANTY A VEHICLE OVER THE LEGAL SPEED LIMIT. THIS WAS THE FINAL ANSWER AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS WERE MADE TO CONVINCE THE CUSTOMER OF OTHER CAUSES, MOST OF WHICH WERE ESSENTIALLY RIDICULOUS. (THE CUSTOMER WAS IN THE AUTO REPAIR BUSINESS FOR 17 YEARS.) THE CUSTOMER TOOK THE TECHNICIAN FOR A TEST DRIVE TO DEMONSTRATE THE SEVERE VIBRATION. THE TECHNICIAN PROPOSED THE POSSIBILITY OF A DEFECTIVE REAR DRIVE LINE. THE TECHNICIAN'S SUPERVISOR THEN DROVE THE VEHICLE HIMSELF THEN STATED THE VEHICLE DEFINITELY HAD A PRONOUNCED VIBRATION, BUT FORD WOULD NOT WARRANTY THE PROBLEM. SINCE THE VIBRATION WAS DISCOVERED WHILE PASSING AN OBVIOUSLY INTOXICATED DRIVER (FOR SAFETY REASONS), THE CUSTOMER DEFINITELY CONSIDERS THIS A SAFETY HAZARD. AFTER VIEWING SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS AT THE NHTSA SITE, IT IS ALL TO OBVIOUS THAT THIS ANSWER/REFUSAL IS BECOMING A VERY COMMON PRACTICE AMONG FORD DEALERS. *PH *NLM **DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT OVER TO ARTEMIS**769763
NHTSA ODI #10006936
Mileage unknown · Nov 13, 2002
Wheels
CONSUMER STATES WHEN BRAKING AND GENTLY TOUCH THE BRAKE PEDAL THE REAR WHEELS LOCK UP. MR
NHTSA ODI #8022617
Mileage unknown · Nov 13, 2002
Tires
TWO TIRES DETERMINED DEFECTIVE AT 517 MILES COULD NOT BE BALANCED. DT
NHTSA ODI #769681
Mileage unknown · Nov 12, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE TURNING A CORNER THE VEHICLES ENGINE SHUTS OFF. VEHICLE WILL START RIGHT UP AGAIN, CONSUMER FEELS UNSAFE BECAUSE THE BRAKES AND STEERING GO OUT. CAUSE OF STALLING IS UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. MR
NHTSA ODI #8022561
Mileage unknown · Oct 28, 2002
Power Train
CONSUMER STATES THAT VEHICLE WAS ON A SLIGHT INCLINE, LIFTER FEET OFF OF BRAKE, VEHICLE DRIFTED BACKWARD, WITH VEHICLE IN DRIVE GEAR. CONTACTED DEALER. TS
NHTSA ODI #8021740
Mileage unknown · Oct 25, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICAL WILL NOT START. TS
NHTSA ODI #8021616
Mileage unknown · Oct 25, 2002
Visibility
WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOP WORKING DURING RAIN NEXT DAY WIPERS ARE FINE INTERMITTENT PROBLEM BUT A LIFE THREATENING SITUATION. DT
NHTSA ODI #768868
Mileage unknown · Oct 21, 2002
Air Bags
CONSUMER STATES WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD-ON COLLISION AT APPROX 25MPH. BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. TS
FORD IS RECALLING MODEL YEARS 1995-2003 WINDSTAR, 2000-2003 EXCURSION DIESEL, 1993-1997 AND 1999-2003 F-250 SD THROUGH F-550 SD DIESEL, 1992-2003 E-150 THROUGH E-550, 1995-2002 EXPLORER, 1997 AND 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER, 1995-1997 AND 2001-2003 RANGER, AND 1994 F53 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH (SCDS). THE SCDS MAY LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING.
Remedy: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS THAT DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS IN LINE WITH THE SCDS. ON 1999-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES WITH A LEAKING SCDS, DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR AND REPAIR AS NECESSARY. REPAIRS WILL BE COMPLETED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 27, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, PASSENGER VEHICLES, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MOTOR HOMES CHASSIS, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. OWNERS OF THE PASSENGER CARS INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO THEIR DEALERS TO HAVE THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH DISCONNECTED AS AN INTERIM REPAIR. AS SOON AS REPAIR PARTS ARE AVAILABLE (EXPECTED OCTOBER 2007), OWNERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN TO THE DEALERS FOR INSTALLATION OF A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 13, 2007, AND MAILING COMPLETED BY SEPTEMBER 19, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.
ON SOME MANUAL TRANSMISSION TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH THE FX4 PACKAGE, THE REAR AXLE DIFFERENTIAL CASE COULD FRACTURE UNDER A HIGH TORQUE EVENT SUCH AS WHEN CUSTOMERS ACCELERATE RAPIDLY FROM A STOP OR WHEN A SPINNING TIRE SUDDENLY GAINS TRACTION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: DIFFERENTIAL FRACTURES COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN WHEEL LOCK-UP.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR AXLE ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 29, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
2002 Ford Ranger Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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